Mary Ellen O'Connor Carden

Family-Placed Obituary



Mary Ellen O Connor Carden Mary Ellen O Connor Carden, 85, of Austin passed away Saturday, October 23, 2004. Mary was born August 9, 1919, in Waco, TX, to William Daniel O Connor and Mattie Milton Wonblesdorff. After the death of her mother, when Mary was three years of age, she and her brothers Lawrence Wayne O Connor and Dan Milton O Connor were raised in Tyler, Texas, by their maiden aunt Martha (Mattie) Ferguson Valentine. All three have preceded her in death. Mary graduated from Tyler High School in 1937, and worked in the office of the East Texas Building and Loan. She was married July 3, 1940, to Bill Jack Carden of Tyler. Mary moved with her husband and family to Austin in 1955, where, for five years she joyfully operated a room and board facility for male students at University of Texas. A lifelong Presbyterian, Mary was a member of University Presbyterian Church. Her husband of 59 years, Bill Jack and her daughter Mary Kathleen preceded her in death. She is survived by two sons, Mike Carden and wife Connie of Pasadena, Tx., and Jerry Carden and wife Rene of Austin, Tx.; grandchildren Annette Webb, Michelle Webb, of Austin, Noel Carden Thakur and her husband Ken, of Flower Mound, Texas, Emily Carden, of Austin, Alex Carden, of Lewisville, Texas, Camille Carden and Stephanie Carden of Austin. Mary was blessed with seven great-grandchildren: Joshua Chapman, Troy Webb, Carlotta Woodley, Terrill Woodley of Austin, Caleb Thakur, and Lauren and Audrey Thakur (twins) of Flower Mound, Texas. Mary also leaves sisters-in-law Betty Duerr of Tyler, Texas, Sue Maxwell of Pearland, Texas, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mary will be remembered as a loving wife, a caring, giving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to all. Proud of her Irish heritage, she had great zest for life, manifested in her pride and love for her family. Witty and sassy, Mary had a vast knowledge of history and the Bible. She entertained the family endlessly with her "sayings." Mary was selfless to the end, generous and kind to all. She was much loved and appreciated by the many who experienced her generosity. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to her cousin Michael Kitley for his love and generous caregiving. The family is grateful to the wonderful staff at Pflugerville Care Center for the love, care, kindness and gentleness shown Mary. Her last days were made happier and more comfortable because of the quality of care she received from this exceptional group of people. The family also wishes to express gratitude to the staff at Austin Heart Hospital, Cornerstone Hospital and Odyssey Hospice for the gentle care administered. Dr. Grace Grant Jenning, Dr. Michael Romaine, Dr. David Abrams, Dr. Scott Blois, we thank you so much. The family will receive friends at Cook-Walden Capital Parks on Tuesday, October 26, from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. Services will be held on Wednesday, October 27 at 1:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden Capital Parks, officiated by Dr. San Williams, University Presbyterian Church. Interment will follow at Capital Parks Cemetery. Honoring Mary as pallbearers will be Aaron Bryan, John Chapman, Willie Gipson, Doug Haydon, Michael Kitley, and Tommy Webb. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pflugerville Care Center Employee Assistance Fund, 506 S. Heatherwilde Blvd, Pflugerville, TX 78660, or University Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 2203 San Antonio, Austin, 78705.